Talk:History of the Russian Federation

Bias in the Crimean annexation section

Hey, I'm concerned that the section on the annexation of Crimea is not neutral. I think it is too favorable to the Russian view on the annexation. For example, the phrasing of "though [the referendum on joining Russia] was passed with an overwhelming majority, the results are contested by some and approved by others" seems to advance the idea that the referendum was legitimate as it doesn't explain why some contest the results. It even waters down the critique by saying that some people support it.
I think overall, the whole section is like this, both on the scale of individual sentences as well as the overall structure and order of the paragraph. It emphasizes all of the details in support of the annexation while glossing over the negatives. I think it's possible that someone could read this section and not realize that this was a Russian invasion and annexation of the territory of another sovereign nation, in violation of international law. 108.28.184.197 (talk) 00:14, 22 May 2020 (UTC) BW

Needs to be updated

The article currently covers events from 1991-2014, but nothing after that. ~EdGl! 02:59, 14 September 2020 (UTC)

Russia never directly declare independence from Soviet Union

In 12 December 1991 Russia do not declare independence, it is just the date belvocha accord become effective in Russia, which nothing resembles an independance declaration, i think the date when the russian presidential law which strengthen Russian statehood was passed can be treated as an indirect declaration of independance which is on 24 of april. 112.119.199.66 (talk) 02:18, 24 July 2022 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion

The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion:

• Russian Federation (orthographic projection) - Annexed Territories disputed.svg

Participate in the deletion discussion at the nomination page. —Community Tech bot (talk) 17:37, 28 December 2022 (UTC)

Requested move 1 September 2023

The following is a closed discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a move review after discussing it on the closer's talk page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

The result of the move request was: Moved. (closed by non-admin page mover) estar8806 (talk) ★ 00:30, 9 September 2023 (UTC)

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History of Russia (1991–present) → History of the Russian Federation – Per WP:NATURAL, such as the articles History of the State of Palestine, History of the Republic of Turkey and History of the Islamic Republic of Iran (not History of Palestine (1988–present), not History of Turkey (1923–present) and not History of Iran (1979–present)). Parham wiki (talk) 17:31, 1 September 2023 (UTC)

• Support per WP:NATURALDISAMBIGUATION. Rreagan007 (talk) 01:12, 3 September 2023 (UTC)
• No strong opinion, but there could be confusion with the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic which existed from 1922 to 1991.--Ymblanter (talk) 07:32, 4 September 2023 (UTC)

  I would also add that it is not consistent with the other aspect of history articles e.g. history of Russia (1894–1917). Mellk (talk) 23:16, 4 September 2023 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Requested move 25 December 2023

The following is a closed discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a move review after discussing it on the closer's talk page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

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History of the Russian Federation → History of Russia (1991–present)History of Russia (1991–present) – "Russian Federation" is sometimes used to refer to the Russian SFSR (see this for example for definition) while this article is specifically about the period of Russian history after 1991. This also makes it consistent with articles about other periods of Russian history:

• History of Russia (1721–1796)
• History of Russia (1796–1855)
• History of Russia (1855–1894)
• History of Russia (1894–1917)
• History of Soviet Russia and the Soviet Union (1917–1927)
• History of the Soviet Union (1927–1953)
• History of the Soviet Union (1953–1964)
• History of the Soviet Union (1964–1982)
• History of the Soviet Union (1982–1991)

Mellk (talk) 14:31, 25 December 2023 (UTC) — Relisting. – Hilst [talk] 15:59, 1 January 2024 (UTC)

Oppose per WP:NATURALDISAMBIGUATION. Yorkporter (talk) 19:38, 26 December 2023 (UTC)

Oppose. I see no reason to move it. In my opinion, the odd articles out of this list are the first four with ambiguous “Russia” instead of the Russian Empire. And the list is selective, omitting earlier history articles, which show that specific name is usually used, and parenthesized years only when necessary:

• Principality of Moscow
• Tsardom of Russia

 —Michael Z. 03:54, 27 December 2023 (UTC)

The main article is history of Russia. Mellk (talk) 18:41, 27 December 2023 (UTC)

• Support. There is nothing wrong with "Russian Federation" because it is a federal state and frequently used name. However, our main page i.e. Russia (1991–present) is Russia, while Russian Federation is a redirect. That would be consistent with renaming as suggested. My very best wishes (talk) 05:08, 27 December 2023 (UTC)

Support. I will also note that the article was moved to the present name from the target name 3 months ago in an unopposed 2-0 vote. Ostalgia (talk) 23:20, 28 December 2023 (UTC)

Note: WikiProject Russia has been notified of this discussion. – Hilst [talk] 16:00, 1 January 2024 (UTC)

Note: WikiProject History has been notified of this discussion. – Hilst [talk] 16:00, 1 January 2024 (UTC)

Note: WikiProject European history has been notified of this discussion. – Hilst [talk] 16:00, 1 January 2024 (UTC)

Support for clarity Marcelus (talk) 11:28, 2 January 2024 (UTC)

Strong opposition per WP:NATURALDISAMBIGUATION and WP:CONSISTENT. Russian Federation is often referred to post-Soviet Russia (Russian Federation redirects to Russia). The second point is that the Russian Federation is the official name of the current Russia (unlike Soviet Russia). Just like History of the Islamic Republic of Iran, History of the Republic of Turkey and History of the State of Palestine, this article deals with the complete history of a nation-state, unlike the articles you mentioned. Parham wiki (talk) 11:14, 3 January 2024 (UTC)

Both Russia and Russian Federation are official names. Your consistency argument is weak since the articles you mentioned are about other countries, the main article for this one is history of Russia with all of other period specific articles using years in the titles. Also, if you want to mention other countries then History of Germany (1990–present) shows you are wrong. Mellk (talk) 11:59, 3 January 2024 (UTC)

Russia is not an official name. "History of Germany (1990–present)" does not fully cover the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, but covers Germany after reunification (the official name of West Germany and the united Germany is "Federal Republic of Germany"). Parham wiki (talk) 12:18, 3 January 2024 (UTC)

Please check this before making such claims. Also, Federal Republic of Germany redirects to Germany and we have History of Poland (1989–present), History of Bulgaria (1990–present), among others. Basically, your consistency argument does not hold up. Mellk (talk) 13:06, 3 January 2024 (UTC)

OK, but the rest of my arguments are correct. Parham wiki (talk) 13:18, 3 January 2024 (UTC)

Strong opposition Russia is a physical piece of land, that varies in shape over the centuries, whereas the Russian Federation is just the current political occupant. The Russian Federation was created in 1991 and as such the article is correctly named. The use of Russia as an alternative for the Russian Federation is just an abbreviation. Make it History of the Russian Federation (1991 to present) if you wish, but it seems a pointless change. Ânes-pur-sàng (talk) 14:28, 7 January 2024 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Russia autocratizations under Putin's leadership

Russia is an authoritarian dictatorship since Vladimir Putin rose to power on 31 December 1999. It should be mentioned in the infobox. Boris Yeltsin's rule by decree from October 1993 constitutional crisis to the same year's new Constitution in December.

Even without that, it's too iportant to don't tell about authoritarian Putinist dictatorship since 1999/2000 (eventuelly declaring Russia a hybrid regime from 1999/2000 to 2003 - the next State Duma elections, after which Putin had basically unlimited power).

Government infobox

@Nikkimaria, once again, you have oversimplified and degraded a government infobox, something you seem to do a lot. You removed the mention of rule by decree and even authoritarian dictatorship which does make me think this may be WP:JUST. I really suggest you stop making these kinds of unconstructive edits as they do nothing but degrade the articles and needlessly oversimplify. ErickTheMerrick (talk) 04:24, 25 April 2025 (UTC)

It's supposed to be simple; that's one of the basic premises of MOS:IBP. The other is that it shouldn't contain details not present in the article body, which your proposal also does. Nikkimaria (talk) 04:26, 25 April 2025 (UTC)

It was simple enough. Your needless oversimplification was not needed and goes beyond MOS:IBP. ErickTheMerrick (talk) 08:58, 3 May 2025 (UTC)

On the contrary, your proposal continues to include a level of detail not present in the article body. Please stop restoring it. Nikkimaria (talk) 14:31, 3 May 2025 (UTC)

Even without writing about rule by decree in Oct-Dec 1993, it's too important to don't write about Putin's dictatorship from 1999/2000 (see above about Autocratization).

Hello.

I've edited the article stating that the Russia became an authoritarian dictatorship in 2003. Why? Because from 1999 to 2003 the Communist-majority State Duma sometimes opposed some of Vladimir Putin's plans. In this period, Russia was a Hybrid regime and Putin, while acting President from 31 December 1999 and full-right from 7 May 2000, basically had an ultimate power after the 2003 Russian legislative election when the pro-Kremlin United Russia party won a majority and the parliament became a Rubber stamp body. Putin became a "spft" dictator in 2003, but his powers were later strengthened by returning to power in 2012, after short-time Dmitry Medvedev presidency, and after the 2020 amendments. You now probably now my arguments, I'm open for dialogue and discussion. Please don't remove that important edition about dictatorship since 2003. 188.33.10.8 (talk) 10:04, 13 August 2025 (UTC)

I agree that it should be mentioned in the government infobox. ErickTheMerrick (talk) 16:02, 4 September 2025 (UTC)

Plus, in 2000 presidential election, Vladimir Putin gained 53% of the vote, in the 2004 presidential election - 71%. The second percentage is unlikely to happen in democracy. The second factor is that in 1999 parlamentary election, pro-Putin Unity party gained 23%, which is possible in democracy, and in the 2003 parliamentary election, United Russia gained 37% of the vote (but gained 223 seats - really near majority, State Duma being a rubber stampt for Putin) which is still possible result in democracy, but in the 2007 parliamentary election, United Russia gained 64%, which is unlikely in democracy. That means that Russia became authoritarian in 2003, because earlier elections had a plausible result, and later being falsified. Also, Putin had a full power in 2003, because the State Duma (Russian parliament) was then controlled by his loyalists and he didn't lost any election since then, which is characteristic for a dictatorship with fake, sham elections. 188.33.10.8 (talk) 19:16, 28 September 2025 (UTC)

The other fact is that Putin's fight against the opposition was largely symbolic prior to 2003, and escalated to crackdowns, murders, etc. after that date. Before December 2003, there were many opposition groups in Russia, which were repressed after Putin had full power. 188.33.10.8 (talk) 19:24, 28 September 2025 (UTC)

Given this is a topic under WP:ARBEE you should provide some reliable independent sources which back up your claims. So far this would be likely challenged so sources must be added – if not, it's original research (and see also WP:VERIFYOR). A09|(talk) 19:55, 28 September 2025 (UTC)

Do, it will be added. There are sources confirming that. 188.33.10.8 (talk) 05:47, 29 September 2025 (UTC)

The information about dictatorship since 2003 was added again, this time with mentioned confirming sources. Please, stay that. 188.33.10.8 (talk) 14:43, 29 September 2025 (UTC)

Per the section above, there shouldn't be details included here that aren't supported by the article text. Nikkimaria (talk) 02:13, 26 November 2025 (UTC)

So I will find evidence in the article supporting it. Next time please stay that. ~2025-32914-13 (talk) 07:55, 26 November 2025 (UTC)

I added evidence supported by the article. Newpictures11 (talk) 18:02, 27 November 2025 (UTC)

Er, no, you didn't? The template is meant to summarize what the article says, and the article doesn't say what you're proposing. Nikkimaria (talk) 01:56, 28 November 2025 (UTC)

If it'll appear that Russia experienced authoritarianism with known evidence, and everything will be true and acceptable, will it be stayed? Newpictures11 (talk) 14:27, 28 November 2025 (UTC)

No - see WP:OR. Appearing that Russia experienced authoritarianism is not the same as it being Russia's type of government. Additionally please get consensus before adding, per WP:ONUS. Nikkimaria (talk) 22:49, 28 November 2025 (UTC)

However, authoritarian government is Condor es by many sources. ~2025-32914-13 (talk) 07:58, 29 November 2025 (UTC)

Authoritarianism in confirmed. Newpictures11 (talk) 20:34, 30 November 2025 (UTC)

See this page as an evidence and an argument for adding authoritarian dictatorship (2003-present) into an infobox: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia — Preceding unsigned comment added by Newpictures11 (talk • contribs) 20:22, 26 December 2025 (UTC)

Wikipedia is not a reliable source. Nikkimaria (talk) 04:38, 27 December 2025 (UTC)

That's a curious claim because we are editing it (Wikipedia), plus, it's not the very Wikipedia but other (far more reliable) citations, so we can use it as an evidence. Newpictures11 (talk) 19:34, 28 December 2025 (UTC)

Not curious at all - see Wikipedia:Don't cite Wikipedia on Wikipedia. Nikkimaria (talk) 02:45, 29 December 2025 (UTC)

I understand, so I'll use other citations that I think are more reliable. If you also reject it, please write what you consider to be enough reliable to uphold this detail. Newpictures11 (talk) 10:33, 29 December 2025 (UTC)

Evaluate: are this citations reliable? If not, tell me what would be reliable. Newpictures11 (talk) 14:59, 28 January 2026 (UTC)

I should also add that the Freedom House report only ranks Russia as "not free", so using this report to claim that it became an authoritarian dictatorship in 2003 violates WP:NOR. Not to mention that there are other similar indices e.g. Democracy Index by EIU (where it is listed as authoritarian after 2011) and Polity data series (where it is listed as an anocracy). The level of democracy is not the same as the type of government, as Nikkimaria already pointed out, and the issue of increasing authoritarianism over the years should be explained in the main text instead. Mellk (talk) 11:17, 29 January 2026 (UTC)

I will try to find a compromise. Newpictures11 (talk) 13:00, 29 January 2026 (UTC)